T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Silvia
Anonymous(From Westminster Drolleries, 1671–2) SILVIA, tell me how long it will be | |
| Before you will grant my desire: | |
| Is there no end of your cruelty, | |
| But must I consume in this fire? | |
| You’ll not tell me you love me, nor yet that you hate, | 5 |
| But take pleasure in seeing me languish. | |
| Ah, Silvia, pity my desperate state, | |
| For you are the cause of my anguish: | |
Her ANSWER Damon, I tell thee I never shall be | |
| In a humour to grant thy desire; | 10 |
| Nor can I be taxed with cruelty, | |
| Having one that I more do admire. | |
| For ’tis him that I love, and thee that I hate, | |
| Yet I find you fain would be doing; | |
| No, Damon, you never shall be my Mate, | 15 |
| Then prithee, Friend, leave off thy wooing. | |
His REPLY Silvia know, I never shall more | |
| Be a Suitor to pride and disdaining, | |
| Nor can my respects be as heretofore, | |
| Being now in the time of their waning: | 20 |
| For I prize not thy love, nor I fear not thy hate, | |
| Then prithee take it for a warning, | |
| Whenever you meet with another mate, | |
| Faith, Silvia, leave off your scorning. | |